Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Constellations embody the destiny of those they are linked to. This notion was a familiar refrain to Aether, yet it never quite settled within him.
Always attuned to their whispers, he listens intently. They speak to him, and in turn, he responds—seizing every opportunity presented. During his extended slumber, fraught with haunting visions, they were his sole companions. It was in those moments that the stars sang to him, a gesture he deeply cherished.

In Teyvat, the stars bore a different demeanor—subdued, so hushed. It required time for him to discern that they found solace in conversation only when united, when they coalesced into a constellation.

The first star he conversed with resembled a feline, its speech elusive, requiring him to climb to the rooftop of the Cat's Tail to discern its whispers clearly. Calling itself Feles, Aether noted its hues mirroring those of a Cryo Vision. Reluctantly, he departed after a while, mindful not to disturb the slumber of any unsuspecting Citizen.
Upon his return to their temporary abode, Aether found Paimon still peacefully ensconced in slumber.

The night's encounter led him to the realization that while the stars indeed spoke, comprehending their language proved challenging—it likely posed a similar difficulty for them to grasp his words. Constellations, on the other hand, offered a more accessible means of communication and understanding. What puzzled Aether was the stars' timidity and the potential significance of the Cryo hue; perhaps, he mused, Visions held a clue to this enigmatic connection.

The following night, Aether sought out another constellation. Sensing Feles' reluctance to converse and mindful of not disturbing the newly won trust of the city.
He ventured to one nestled near a grand tree and a Statue of The Seven. This constellation bore the hue of an Anemo Vision, taking the form of a youthful figure. Eager and willing to engage, they introduced themselves as Carmen Dei. Aether spent a considerable amount of time in conversation, even posing inquiries about the Teyvat's stars. Eventually, he bid farewell, his heart content and mind enriched.

With newfound clarity, Aether grasped the interwoven connection between the stars, the will of Teyvat's people, and the holders of Visions. Satisfied with the revelations gleaned, he continued his conversations with the constellations encountered on his journey. It was not long before he discerned that he had conversed with the constellations of Diona and Venti, respectively. Curiosity lingered as to whether they were aware of these exchanges. Certain cues led him to believe that Diona likely remained unaware, while Venti, possibly due to his status as an Archon, seemed to possess an understanding of these dialogues.

Apart from Venti, Aether kept his newfound ability a secret from all others. He also learned to distinguish the constellations of the Archons, deciding it would be peculiar to engage with them. This, in his view, was best avoided.

A sense of melancholy settled over Aether as he realized the stars that serenaded him during his slumber were no longer present. Nevertheless, the new constellations proved intriguing, revealing subtle patterns:

Geo Stars exuded perseverance and politeness.

Anemo Stars displayed dedication and a usual calmness.

Electro Stars were marked by their exceptional and unique traits.

Hydro Stars seemed fixated on particular conversation topics.

Pyro Stars emanated passion and energy.

Cryo Stars often struggled to open up, their demeanor closed off to Aether's attempts at conversation.

Dendro Stars, wise and full of wisdom, seldom allowed Aether the chance to speak, leaving him content to listen and learn from their insights.

While not every constellation adhered strictly to these observed patterns, deviations were so infrequent that they appeared as isolated occurrences. A notable instance took place in Inazuma, where Aether encountered a Cryo constellation resembling a Snow Crane. Startled, he yelped in surprise as the constellation swiftly approached him, drawing remarkably close. Despite this unexpected encounter, its appearance was nothing short of fabulous and delicately intricate.

The constellations were all different, but that wasnt a bad Thing at all.

In Fontaine, Aether engaged in conversation with a Pyro constellation named Felis Fuscus—an unmistakable feline figure. Curiously, he inquired if Felis knew of Feles, to which the constellation replied in the negative. Impressed by Felis' appearance, Aether couldn't help but compliment the stars on their artistry, noting how the constellation's pattern resembled a finely crafted hat.

As the time to return to his Serenitea Pot drew near, Felis requested his presence again the following day—a request Aether gladly accepted. On the next visit, he noticed an Anemo constellation trailing alongside Felis. The Pyro Stars introduced the companion as Felis Alba, and Aether immediately recognized the representation. Engaging in extensive conversation, Aether found himself spending a considerable amount of time with the two constellations.

Yet amidst the lively exchange, a twinge of sadness tugged at Aether's heart. The constellations stirred memories of his sister, a sentiment he kept close to his chest, unspoken yet keenly felt.

Aether felt a jolt of surprise at an unexpected interruption. He had spent countless nights conversing with the stars, confident that his solitude was undisturbed. Yet, as fate would have it, it seemed that tonight was the night when someone else stumbled upon his secret.

"Traveler?" The voice, belonging to Neuvillette, resonated from behind the Fountain of Lucine. In an instant, the constellation resting in Aether's palm trembled and vanished. Aether turned to face the newcomer, feeling a nervous energy coursing through him.

"Oh. Neuvillette," he replied, his hand instinctively moving to rub the back of his neck in a gesture of unease.

"I mean not to doubt your abilities, Traveler," Neuvillette began, stepping closer to stand beside him. "But is it not dangerous to your sleeping schedule to be up this late?"
Aether hesitated, his mind scrambling for an excuse. However, he knew he was a terrible liar, and his voice trailed off before he could conjure up a convincing response.
"Hm," Neuvillette continued, observing the quiet surroundings. "I believe that I heard your voice as I approached. Were you speaking with someone?"

Aether sighed, realizing that it might not be such a terrible thing to share his secret with Neuvillette.

Aether's gaze shifted to the constellation hovering above them, its ethereal presence casting a gentle glow upon the scene. With a calm gesture, he raised his hand, imbuing it with elemental energy, reaching out to the constellation that watched them from above.

"Don't worry, he means no harm. Can we keep talking?" Aether spoke, addressing both Neuvillette and the celestial being that gazed down at them. Slowly, the constellation descended from the sky, landing once more in Aether's outstretched hand.

Turning to Neuvillette, Aether explained, "I was conversing with this constellation. You startled me."

Neuvillette stared in disbelief, clearly taken aback. "This is rather unusual. I have never seen such an ability," he remarked, his curiosity piqued.

Aether chuckled lightly, motioning for Neuvillette to draw closer. "Its name is Leviathan. I'm not sure if you'll be able to hear it..."

Neuvillette fell silent, his gaze fixed on the constellation now resting comfortably in Aether's palm. Aether noticed the change in Neuvillette's demeanor.
"Is something wrong?" Aether inquired, his voice filled with curiosity as Leviathan shifted contentedly in his hand.

"How long have you been talking to this one?" Neuvillette asked, his tone contemplative.

"Since I first arrived in this part of Fontaine. Leviathan is quite polite," Aether replied with a warm smile.

Neuvillette hummed thoughtfully, a glimmer of understanding in his eyes. "I'm sure it appreciates your company. Say... would you be so kind as to keep talking to it?" His voice held a softness that surprised Aether.

"Oh, sure, no biggie," Aether responded, touched by Neuvillette's unexpected request.

Neuvillette smiled warmly and stayed for a bit longer, the atmosphere now filled with a sense of shared understanding. As he eventually bid his farewell, Aether couldn't shake off the feeling of the strange yet comforting interaction they had shared.

Later on, Aether discovered whose constellation was that.

=========================================================================================================
In the serene ambiance of the Grand Narukami Shrine in Inazuma, Aether found himself conversing with a familiar constellation. He knew exactly to whom it belonged.

"Vulpes, that is a beautiful name for a beautiful constellation like you," Aether remarked softly, using gentle strokes of electro energy to pet the fox-like constellation resting in his hand.

The constellation seemed to revel in the attention, its form shimmering with a pleased aura.

"You also seem to be very imposing. I haven't spotted any other constellations around the Shrine's sky. You're the boss around here, huh?" Aether continued, offering praises that seemed to be met with gratitude.

The constellation nodded in agreement, its presence exuding a sense of authority and majesty. Before Aether could say another word, a voice interrupted from behind.

"Well, well, well, what are you doing around here at this hour, little one?" The voice belonged to none other than Miko, and Aether could sense the peace of the moment about to be disrupted. However, the constellation remained unperturbed, and Aether turned to face Yae Miko, holding the celestial being in his hand.

"Hm? What is that?" Yae asked, her gaze fixated on the constellation resting in Aether's palm.

"Oh. It's... It's a friend," Aether replied, deciding to keep the details vague.

Yae chuckled, her amusement evident. "A friend, you say?" she cooed teasingly.

"A friend," Aether affirmed with a playful smile, the constellation shimmering softly in his hand.

The tranquility of the night was soon replaced by Yae Miko's flood of questions. She seemed intrigued by the idea of Aether conversing with the stars, even hinting at using it as inspiration for a novel. Aether found himself bombarded with inquiries, a mix of curiosity and amusement in Yae's eyes.

=========================================================================================================
"WHAT?! Why have you never told Paimon that you can talk to stars?!" Paimon's voice rang out suddenly, breaking the flow of his current conversation.

Aether chuckled at the unexpected outburst. "I just never thought it mattered," he replied with a shrug.

The last one to know his secret was Paimon, who seemed both surprised and offended at the revelation.

"What do you mean?! Paimon would have never guessed!" she exclaimed, hovering closer to inspect the constellation on Aether's hand “Is it talking to you right now?”

"No," Aether chuckled, gently holding the constellation out for Paimon to see. "Why would my constellation talk to me?"

Paimon seemed genuinely taken aback. "Well, if I had a constellation, I would talk to it all the time!" she declared.

Aether's interest was piqued by her enthusiasm. "What if I make you a constellation?" he offered with a mischievous glint in his eye.

Paimon's eyes widened in disbelief. "You can do that?!" she gasped, clearly amazed.

"Come closer, let me see what I can do..." Aether said, his voice filled with a sense of curiosity.

With a gentle touch, the constellation in Aether's hand dissipated, and he set to work on crafting a constellation for Paimon. If he had access to his sealed powers, the task would have been simpler, but he relied on the elemental energy available to him.

"There you go," Aether said proudly, presenting the newly made Paimon-looking constellation to the floating companion.

"Oooooh!" Paimon exclaimed, delightedly grabbing the constellation. "Hi, little Paimon! Paimon's name is Paimon!" she said with excitement.
And yet, to Paimon's dismay, the constellation remained unmoving and silent.

"Uh, Aether? Paimon thinks it didn't work..." Paimon said with disappointment evident in her voice.

Aether chuckled at her reaction. "Of course you would say that... This constellation is simply an amalgam of many kinds of elemental energy, so it does not know how to act," he explained.

Paimon hummed in understanding. "So... What Paimon is holding right now is just a... Farse of a constellation?"

"I guess you could say that," Aether replied with a grin, the two of them sharing a moment of lightheartedness.

As the night wore on, Paimon eventually gave up on trying to interact with the constellation and returned it to Aether.

"Paimon is tired! I don't need to talk to any constellation anymore!" she declared, clearly distressed.

Aether laughed softly, dissipating the elemental energy he had used to create the constellation.

"Oh? And why is that?" he asked, genuinely curious.

"Because!" Paimon started, her voice a mix of playfulness and sincerity, "Paimon knows that they disappear once the night goes away."

Aether's expression softened at her words. "But Paimon won't need to talk to any constellation as long as Paimon has you," she continued, her tone earnest.

Aether felt a warmth spread through him at Paimon's words. "Hey, Paimon?" he began.

"What is it?" Paimon asked, floating closer to him.

"Thank you," Aether said simply, his voice filled with gratitude.

Yeah, maybe he wouldn't hear the stars that sang to him during his nightmares anymore. But that was okay. There were people willing to stay by his side, and that was better than any song he could ever hear. With Paimon beside him, Aether knew he would never truly be alone.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
In ages past, when stars were young and bright,
A god of light emerged from cosmic night.
With hands that wove the tapestry of space,
He birthed the constellations, each a grace.

Upon the canvas of the velvet sky,
His artistry in twinkling lights did fly.
From Orion's belt to Draco's winding tail,
His celestial children, a timeless tale.

But fate, capricious as the swirling stars,
Cast shadows on this god, his realm and ours.
A curse befell him, deep and dark as night,
A slumber filled with nightmares, endless fright.

For five long centuries, he lay in chains,
In dreams of sorrow, where no light remains.
Yet through the void, his constellations wept,
Their shimmering songs in silence kept.

Cassiopeia's lilt, a mournful sigh,
And Lyra's melody, a soft goodbye.
The Pleiades in gentle harmony,
And Ursa Major's roar, a symphony.

Each night they danced across the inky dome,
Their radiant forms a celestial poem.
A chorus for their fallen god of old,
Their love and loyalty, a tale untold.

Then one celestial eve, a spark of dawn,
A glimmer in the dark, a hope reborn.
The god awoke from slumber's heavy chain,
His constellations' love his strength regained.

With radiant light, he broke the curse's hold,
And filled the heavens with a blaze untold.
Once more he weaved the stars in cosmic flight,
The god of light, returned from endless night.

Now in the night sky, his constellations gleam,
A testament to love that reigns supreme.
For even gods may fall, yet rise again,
And in their darkest hour, find a friend.

Chapter Text

“Σκατά!” Aether yelled When he read his last comission.

“Huh? What did you say?” Paimon asked.

Aether sighed and smiled at Paimon.

“Nothing Much, lets just find Wyatt’s key already.”

And so they headed to where Wyatt usually stayed.
======================================================
“Dragging your feet, just like the Knights of Favonius. I gave you a minute! Did you forget, or did you not listen in the first place?”

“Γάμησέ σε, κάθαρμα...” Aether muttered When Tsarevich started to complaing, Paimon and the said man stared at Aether, confused.

“What did you just say Young man?” Tsarevich asked, stomping his feet.

“Nothing much.” He answered, grabbing the small amount of Mora the man gived and walking away hiding his frown.

“Θα σου σπρώξω τη μάσκα του Χίλιτσουρλ στον κώλο σου” Aether mumbled as Paimon followed him.

======================================================“Είμαι γαμημένος” Once again, Aether said something Paimon had no idea of what it meant, right When a Ruin Guard almost hit him.

But Aether somehow managed to parry one of its attacks and defeat the mechanical beast.

“Πάρε αυτό! ηττημένος!” He laughed, rearranging his scarf.

“Aether, what did you say?” Paimon asked.

He smiled, blushing a bit.

“Nothing Much.” Paimon wasnt taking his shit anymore.
======================================================
“Oh! What can I help you with, Paimon?” Amber asked, sensing how angry the floating baloon seemed.

“Paimon needs help! You are the only one able to help me!” Paimon said in clear despear.

Amber chuckled.

“What is the matter, Paimon?” She asked.

“The Traveler!”

“What about him?” Was the Traveler in Danger?

“Paimon is tired of hearing him saying weird phrases!” Paimon yelled.

Huh?

“Weird... Phrases?” Amber was having trouble to follow the logic.

“Agh! Just.... Tag along during the comissions and see it for yourself¹” Paimon then started to drag her to the gates, Amber didnt have Much of a choice...

“Oh, you are back, Pai- Amber?” Aether looked at both of the girls, confused.

“Paimon greeted Amber on the way back and Guess what? She said that she wanted to help us on our daily comissions!” Paimon quickly made something up, Amber just nodded at the words, going along with the lie.

“I hope you dont mind if I tag along.” Amber said, getting a thumbs up from Paimon who was now standing behind Aether.

He quickly shook his head with a small smile.

“Dont worry! I dont mind having more company!” He said.

And just like that, they went to their first Commission.
======================================================
Paimon said that the Traveler was saying weird phrases, and now she understands why.

Every time he deals with a annoying Enemy, takes hit, misses an attack and so on, he says a weird frase.
“γιος της σκύλας.” He muttered another one of them as he finished a Fatui Agent, Amber sighed.

She was curious, but Every time she asked what he said, he just shrugged and said ‘Nothing Much.’

As Aether got his rewards with Katheryne, Paimon and Amber whispered to eachother.

“See!? Paimon told you!” Paimon loudly whispered.

“D-Dont worry Paimon, I think I know exactly the person who can help us!” Amber reassured.
======================================================
And that is a brief summary of why Jean, Lisa, and Venti were now gathered at Aether's teapot, as the man himself was nowhere to be found, off doing whatever business he had in those domains...

"So... Weird phrases?" Jean began once Amber and Paimon had finished explaining the whole situation.

"Yes, Master Jean. Weird phrases..." Amber sighed.

Venti chuckled, and Lisa... Oh Archons above... Her scholarly side was starting to show.

"What kind of phrases were those? Perhaps the cutie is speaking in another language," she mused, taking a sip of her tea.

Amber hummed in agreement. "That is probably it, but Paimon can barely decipher one word of his phrases! It's too difficult!" Paimon chimed in, glad they were making some progress.

Jean sighed. "I think we may be delving too deep. What if it's something personal to him?" she voiced her concern.

"Now, now, let's not get ahead of ourselves, Master Jean. If we're overstepping, we'll stop prying right away!" Venti smoothly interjected, quickly allaying Jean's worries. "But for now, I simply must know if I can incorporate some of his oh-so-mysterious words into my songs!"

Jean sighed once more. "Yes, that's right! We're just curious, that's all!" Amber chimed in, echoing the bard's sentiment.

And so they continued their discussion until Tubby interrupted their little chat.

"Ah, Tubby! Is everything alright?" Paimon inquired.

Tubby quickly shook her head. "Do not worry. One simply wanted to inform you that more of the Master's closest companions have arrived," she explained as Ayaka, Yae, and... oh no... Raiden Ei entered the room.

"Ah! They're finally here!" Paimon excitedly greeted the new guests.

Raiden and Venti simply stared at each other, tension palpable in the air.

Needless to say, the peace quickly dissipated.
======================================================
In short, by the time the Traveler finished his tasks, half of Teyvat seemed to have gathered inside his teapot, all because Paimon thought they could be of help. However, in the end, they all had to leave as the conversation wasn't leading anywhere.

Paimon groaned in despair, feeling like they were getting nowhere fast.

"Don't be so sad, Paimon. I'm sure we will figure something out," Nahida said, trying to comfort her.

At that moment, Paimon and the Archons were the only ones left in the room. The Traveler was surprised to see them there and decided to make some dinner for everyone. And so, they waited.

Until Tubby appeared once more.

"Ah, Tubby. Is everything alright?" Paimon asked.

"One didn't mean to pry, but also noticed that you all gathered around to discuss Master's odd behavior. In that case, one would like to share some information," Tubby said.

Paimon suddenly perked up, eager to hear what Tubby had to say, as did the others in the room.

"Master is indeed speaking in another language. One recognizes it from the few phrases he has said," Tubby explained.

Paimon gasped, finally some clarity!

"It is an ancient language. Master is using it to express..." Tubby paused, searching for the right words, "his hidden thoughts."

"Hidden thoughts...?" Venti asked, suddenly feeling very uncomfortable.

"Indeed. One has never heard so many sorrowful words, used mainly to convey how much pain he feels," Tubby continued.

Before any of them could respond, Aether burst into the room.

"You guys! Dinner is ready," he announced cheerfully.

No one felt hungry right now. The weight of Aether's hidden emotions hung heavy in the air, casting a somber mood over the gathering. They all exchanged worried glances, realizing that their friend was carrying a burden they had not fully understood until now.
======================================================
On the following day, those who had heard Tubby's revelations gathered once again at the Serenitea Pot.

"Paimon can't believe it! Why has he never told us anything?!" Paimon exclaimed, clearly distressed.

"It is indeed quite perplexing to think that someone like him would resort to such methods to express his thoughts. It truly worries me," Zhongli said, taking a thoughtful sip of his tea.

"I agree," Raiden quickly chimed in, echoing Zhongli's sentiments. "I wonder... Have our past conflicts made him see me as an untrustworthy friend?"

"Now, let's not entertain such thoughts. All we can do right now is wait until he returns and simply talk to him," Nahida said calmly, attempting to soothe the anxious Archons.

"I just hope that he'll consider talking to us," Venti added, his concern evident.

"Paimon will get his mind out of his mouth whether he likes it or not!" Paimon huffed determinedly. It was clear that they were all deeply worried as they waited for Aether to return from his commissions. The weight of his unspoken emotions hung heavy in the air, each of them wondering how they could help their friend through this unseen turmoil.
======================================================
"Phew... Today's commissions were so easy!" Aether exclaimed as he entered his Serenitea Pot.

"Hm... But Paimon surely makes the day better. I wonder if she feels okay, it has been 2 days without her..." He muttered to himself. "Maybe I should cook her favorite dish?"

What Aether didn't expect was to find all the Archons he knew gathered at his Pot... again.

"Oh! You guys!" He greeted, immediately regretting his decision after seeing all of their glares. "...You guys?"

Zhongli took a deep breath. "Aether, it's nice to see you. Please, take a seat. This is your house after all. Make yourself comfortable," he said, as politely as possible.

And so Aether did, sitting beside Nahida, with Paimon quickly flying to his side.

"Is everything okay?" Aether asked, noticing the serious atmosphere.

"We should be asking you that, Aether," Venti replied, his tone serious, sending a chill down Aether's spine.

"Uh? What are you—"

"You know you can always talk to us, right?" Venti continued. "There's no need to hide your thoughts behind unknown words."

Wait, what?

"Precisely, tell us what's going on. You can count on us like we've counted on you," Zhongli added.

"I know we started off on the wrong foot, but I hope to become someone you can trust. I assure you," Raiden also added, Aether now thoroughly confused.

"That's right. I believe we don't need to read your mind to get you to talk, right?" Nahida said, her tone gentle yet firm.

"Okay, uhhhh..." Aether started, feeling the weight of their attention. "I appreciate the concern, but what are you guys talking about?"

And then they sighed.

"Paimon's had enough! You will talk, whether you like it or not!" Paimon blurted out. "We're talking about the things you say in another language!"

Aether froze, oh no...

"Ah..."

Were they thinking he was depressed or something?

"No... you guys, it's nothing like that..." Aether stammered, feeling his face turn red. How would he explain this to them?

Zhongli gave him a confused glance, echoed by the others.

"In that case, enlighten us," Zhongli said.

Aether groaned, putting a hand to cover his burning face.

"I'm not using those words to vent, if that's what you guys are thinking..." He started, feeling the embarrassment flood in. "It's just a bunch of words in Greek, my first language. I'm sure you guys don't know about it."

Everyone sighed in relief, and Aether thought he was saved from further embarrassment.

"And what do those words mean?" Nahida asked, her curiosity piqued.

Aether's blush returned even worse. 'No, Nahida! Noooooo!'

The poor knight put his forehead on the table, using both arms to cover his head.

"They... They are..." He struggled, feeling the weight of their gazes. "They are... curse words..."

Silence never felt so agonizing in his whole life.

"Curse... words?" Raiden contemplated his answer, all the pieces of the puzzle suddenly falling into place.

Venti burst out laughing, and Paimon joined him almost immediately.

"Why in another language, though?" Nahida asked, still puzzled.

"I don't know any curse words in the Teyvat language..." Aether groaned, his blush now reaching new heights.

Zhongli seemed much more relaxed now. "Ah, I see. Everything makes much more sense now," he said, smiling.

The rest of the night was spent with them laughing about the whole situation. Them, of course, did not include poor Aether, who was helplessly blushing in embarrassment. But amidst the laughter and teasing, Aether felt a warmth in his heart, grateful for friends who could turn even his embarrassing moments into cherished memories.
======================================================
"Tubby?"

"How may one be of service, Master?"

"Did you lie to them that I was using my language to blurt out?"

"Indeed."

"Why?"

"Why... One cannot accept such ugly words coming from such a young one."

"Tubby, I've watched stars being born and dying. I am everything BUT young."

"Nonsense! Your face does not trick me!"

Aether sighs, feeling a mix of amusement and exasperation at Tubby's persistent care and innocence. Life in the Serenitea Pot was never dull, that was for sure.

Chapter Text

Did you know?

There is a traveler traversing each nation, purportedly earning hero status in both Mondstadt and Liyue.

I wonder... Will he achieve the same renown here in Inazuma?

It's said he can wield more than one element, quite an anomaly, don't you think?

But alas... If he were to attain heroism here in Inazuma, it would entail confronting The Almighty Raiden Shogun. I believe we shouldn't harbor too much hope.

...
========================================================================================
This was merely a glimpse of what Thoma had heard about the renowned traveler who has been aiding each nation. He had to admit, he felt nervous. Distractedly toying with a coin, he pondered... What might such a powerful being look like?

Hmmm... He was likely tall, Thoma speculated, perhaps wielding a claymore, known for their considerable damage. To earn the respect of two nations, he probably exuded an imposing aura that deterred any who dared approach. How could someone as unassuming as Thoma even properly greet such a traveler?

And when Beidou finally arrived, Thoma had to blink twice. Was this diminutive figure with a floating companion truly the mighty Traveler? Unbelievable...

Thoma contemplated various ways to greet him, but it proved unnecessary. The Traveler took a step forward, eagerly shaking his hand and saying, "You must be Thoma; Beidou told me so much about you. I'm at your service now. Please take care of me!" Thoma couldn't help but be taken aback. Like ??? You're the being who saved two nations! If anyone needed protection, it was Thoma himself!

This must be some mistake. How could this seemingly adolescent figure be the Traveler he had heard so much about? He appeared as fragile as the most delicate glass, liable to shatter at any moment!
========================================================================================
In fact, that boy was everything BUT fragile glass, as Thoma would vehemently assert. As they ambled around, he felt a hand on his shoulder. When he turned around, oh Archons, when he turned around... It was as if the world plunged into darkness, leaving only him and the entity that had touched him. Its eyes gleamed like those of a beast, their hue a disconcerting blend of red and orange. Perhaps it was best not to dwell on the details... He could have sworn he glimpsed horns protruding from its head and jagged stones adorning its back.

But in the blink of an eye, everything reverted to normalcy.

"Hey, Thoma!" the Traveler called out.

"Oh! H-Hey! What's wrong?" Thoma stammered.

"Are we nearly finished with this 'International Trade Association' business?" he inquired, his accompanying companion hovering nearby.

"Eh? Why do you ask?" Thoma's response hinged on the significance of the query.

"Well, you see that statue over there?" The Traveler gestured toward a distant hill in Ritou, where a Statue of The Seven stood. "I wanted to resonate with it, but I haven't had the chance yet..." He pouted.

"Why don't you go ahead and do your thing before we continue? I'll wait for you here. Sound good?" Thoma suggested, and the Traveler eagerly acquiesced, dashing off toward the statue.

Thoma sighed, absently patting the shoulder that had been touched. What was going on with that traveler?

"Don't worry, Thoma. Paimon took a long time to get used to him too!" Thoma yelped in surprise, only then realizing that the diminutive fairy was still present—or at least, he assumed she was a fairy.

"You should have seen how terrifying it was to encounter him in the middle of the night," Paimon added. "Once, inside our teapot, he inadvertently startled Paimon. He resembled a demon, illuminated in the darkest corner of the kitchen while indulging in a Sweet Madame."

Unfortunately, The Traveler returned glowing purple before Thoma could ask what the fuck they were doing inside a teapot and HOW the fuck they were inside a teapot.

(This boomer never entered a teapot before, jokes on him)
========================================================================================
For the first time, Thoma witnessed the Traveler in combat, and he was both surprised and relieved not to be his adversary.

His armor plates emanated a deep purple glow, his skin seemingly adorned with scales. His grip on Thoma's Vision was formidable, as if it could be wrested away at any moment.

The nearby guards attempted to approach, only to be met with a chilling glare from the Traveler that sent them recoiling in fear. His gaze then shifted to the Archon descending in his direction.

"You will be inlaid upon this statue," she declared.

Thoma could not witness what ensued next as the Traveler and Raiden were enveloped in another realm.

Or at least, the Shogun attempted to transport him to another realm, only to be met with a resounding roar from the Traveler, one that tore through her domain as he immediately sprinted toward Thoma.

"Thoma, we need to escape!" he exclaimed, swiftly freeing him from his bindings as the Shogun struggled to comprehend the situation.

Seizing the opportunity, they fled back to the Komore Teahouse, where the Traveler now nervously chuckled, pacing back and forth with Paimon trailing his every move.

"Paimon!" he burst into laughter. "I attempted to confront the godforsaken GOD of Electro, wielding the powers of the ELECTRO dragon, mind you, which was also vanquished by her." He erupted into laughter once more.

"Paimon told you to utilize Geo! Azhdaha's abilities would have been far more advantageous!" Paimon interjected.

"Well, pardon me, Miss 'Know-It-All' about battles, but my thoughts were not exactly coherent!"

"No way! Paimon would never have guessed!"

Aether simply grumbled while Thoma and Ayaka exchanged a puzzled glance.

"Um... Traveler...?" Thoma ventured.

Aether glanced at him, the scales on his body bristling with surprise.

"Oh! Um... How can I assist you?" he responded.

"Could you possibly explain how you managed to evade being pulled into the Raiden Shogun's domain?" Thoma inquired.

Paimon couldn't contain her amusement, and the Traveler chuckled nervously, scratching the back of his head.

"Well, you see... I just... Roared..." he offered simply.

Thoma stared at him incredulously.

"Seriously? You mean, you just... screamed?" he pressed further.

"Exactly! You know, like... Rawr!" Aether mimicked, attempting to illustrate with a gesture.

Thoma's stare intensified.

"Uh... Never mind..." he muttered, feeling exasperated.

Ayaka shot Thoma a perplexed glance, evidently unsure of what transpired.

Fuck this shit.
========================================================================================
Once again, within Raiden's Plane of Euthymia, Aether tapped the Omamori given to him by Yae, only to be surprised as she materialized before him, causing both him and Paimon to gasp in astonishment.

"Lady Yae!" he exclaimed with a broad smile, despite his injuries, genuinely pleased to see a familiar face.

The kitsune giggled as she approached the Traveler, gently patting him on the head.

"Just Yae or Miko is fine, little one," she remarked before furrowing her brow. "Hmm? What are all these changes to your body?"

It was only then that Ei took a moment to observe the Traveler. Indeed, he sported protruding rocks from his exposed skin, along with horns on his face and head. His eyes had taken on a different hue, with deep red pupils contrasting against a darker shade of white. Even his hair had transformed, now a brown hue with dark yellow ends.

In response to Yae's inquiry, the Traveler's braid began to wag around like a tail, prompting a raised eyebrow from Ei.

"I'm glad you asked! I'm actually harnessing Azhdaha's powers," he explained eagerly. "He's a rather grumpy geo dragon from Liyue."

"I see," Yae nodded, taking one last glance at the Traveler before turning her attention to Ei.

"Miko..." the Archon began.

"Ei," Miko responded with a smile.

“Paimon.” Aether stared at Paimon with a menancing grin, already knowing what to say.

“Aether.”He said, Ei sighed.

This would be a long fight.
========================================================================================
"And that's essentially everything that transpired in Inazuma," Aether concluded, recounting his latest adventures to Nahida, who wore a broad smile, while Scaramouche grumbled discontentedly.

"Wow! You've certainly been through a lot!" Nahida exclaimed. "The powers you used against the Raiden Shogun, they're similar to the ones you employed against Scaramouche, right?" she inquired.

Aether nodded eagerly. "Yes, indeed! The only difference is that I utilized Apep's powers. I've been eager to tap into his abilities for quite some time!"

"Speaking of which... How exactly do these powers function?" Nahida's question piqued Scaramouche's interest.

Aether's demeanor shifted, assuming a more instructional tone. "I'm glad you asked!" he exclaimed, clapping his hands excitedly before clearing his throat. "It begins when I resonate with a Statue," he began to explain.

"Each time this occurs, I receive a portion of elemental energy, not from the gods of each element, but from the dragons," he elaborated, prompting a thoughtful hum from Nahida.

"Paimon doesn't understand why that happens, but it has worked thus far, so we're not concerned!" he added with a grin.

Nahida giggled softly. "And all these peculiar transformations don't harm your body?" Scaramouche inquired skeptically.

Aether shrugged. "Not at all. I only feel fatigued after prolonged battles, but there's no cause for alarm. Besides..." Suddenly, his attire shimmered in green, his braid extending significantly until it was twice the length of his body. His hair took on a verdant hue, his fangs elongated slightly, and his eyes gleamed with a yellow light as he flashed a wide grin. "Isn't it cool to use your own hair as a lasso?"

"Fuck off! It's not!" Scaramouche retorted, perhaps feeling irked by being bested by a hair lasso.

Chapter Text

Lyney clears his throat. "My dear friends, are you aware of why I have gathered you all here?" he asks, capturing everyone's attention.

"Because you are an idiot," says Lynette.

"Is it not to have a pleasant conversation among friends?" Navia asks.

"To invite us to your next magic show," suggests Clorinde.

"I have no idea..." mumbles Freminet.

"Hah! To discuss the new novel I read yesterday!" Furina beams.

Lyney sighs; these people are truly hopeless. "No, we are here to discover..." He pauses suspiciously. "The Traveler’s surname."

...

"I’m leaving," Lynette deadpans.

Lyney quickly rushes to calm her down, while Navia seems unperturbed by the reason for the gathering.

"I mean, we only know his name is Aether, but we’ve never heard his surname," she says thoughtfully. "It is a fascinating topic to discuss."

Finally, someone understands him. "Indeed! How can such a unique individual not have a surname?" Lyney quickly tries to persuade the others to join his investigation.

"He might not have one," Clorinde suggests, taking a sip of her tea. "He is not from this world, after all."

"I agree," Freminet adds.

"But what if he just never mentioned his surname because he is ashamed of it?" Furina proposes.

"Ashamed?" Lyney and Navia echo.

"Yeah, like... what if it's a funny name?" Furina asks.

"Huh... that might be possible," Navia ponders.

"Maybe he just never had the chance to say it," Lynette offers, probably the most reasonable suggestion.

Lyney hums thoughtfully. "Hmm, so many ideas, so many possibilities. All of them are plausible!" He says. "And this is exactly why I have gathered you all here. From now on, we will be responsible for gathering evidence to uncover the Traveler’s surname!"

"I was right after all; you ARE an idiot," Lynette remarks.
=======================================================================================
Team 1 - Furina, Navia, and Clorinde

Everyone had split into two teams to solve this oh-so-urgent matter.

"So..." Navia began, taking a bite of her macaron. "Where should we start?"

They were now at Furina’s simple abode, discussing as if they were at a girls-only party.

"Maybe we shouldn't start anything at all," Clorinde said coldly. "We are talking about something he might not be comfortable sharing."

Furina was quick to interject. "We won't pry into any of his personal matters, of course. If he doesn’t want to share, we won’t force him."

Navia hummed and nodded in agreement. "That’s right!"

Clorinde sighed at the absurdity of the situation. "If you want a quick option, we can ask Monsieur Neuvillette. The first place Aether visited was Mondstadt, so there’s probably a document with his full name on it."

The two girls nodded.

"Oh, that's true! We should go right away!" Furina said excitedly, but Clorinde was quick to shush her.

"No need to hurry. It's been a long time since I last had a break from work. Let’s just use this afternoon to relax," she said. "I can ask Neuvillette next time I see him."

Navia gasped. "Clorinde! Did I just hear you say you wanted to relax? Impossible! Who are you, impostor?" Navia pretended to raise a weapon, giggling. "But you’re right, we should bake something and have a sleepover! I can make macarons."

Furina giggled in amusement.

"Do you have the ingredients to make macarons?" Clorinde raised an eyebrow.

"Ah... right, I don't..." Navia sulked.

"Don't worry, I can go buy them! You two stay here and gather everything we will need to bake," Furina offered, taking her wallet.

"It is night already. Are you sure you can go alone?" Clorinde asked.

"Nonsense, I have my dear Salon Members!" Furina quickly reassured her.

"Okay, just be careful," Clorinde warned once more. Furina took the little list of ingredients from Navia and happily flew out the door.

Not being an Archon was so liberating; she could make such happy memories. She was truly glad to be a normal human.

After buying the necessary items, Furina made her way back through the not-so-lively streets of Fontaine. It was odd seeing the place so quiet, so empty.

Suddenly, Furina was startled by the sound of a hilichurl. She barely had time to turn around before the monster was upon her. She summoned her Salon Members and shut her eyes, bracing for impact.

But it wasn't her who was hit. A shadow swiftly jumped at the hilichurl, which spasmed on the ground, struggling against its attacker. Furina was terrified; the thing that had jumped at the hilichurl was surely not human. It tore the hilichurl apart with barely any effort, like it was soft food. The creature beat the hilichurl until only its mask remained, the rest turning to ashes.

Furina came back to her senses when the creature stood up. She took a step back, its red eyes, dark body, and imposing figure moving towards her... until Surintendante Chevalmarin shot water at its face. Furina thought she was dead for sure.

But she wasn't.

"Whoa! Whoa! Stop!" The figure had a familiar voice. Furina realized that the intimidating figure was Aether.

Her water seahorse immediately stopped and floated towards Aether with a pained expression, clearly worried about him. The Traveler laughed and tried to dry his hair, reassuring the seahorse.

"Heya! Sorry about that, I probably freaked you out, huh?" he said, rubbing the back of his head. Furina was confused. His body was no longer black, his eyes were not red, but what she had seen surely wasn’t an illusion.

"A-Aether?" Furina managed to speak, somehow.

"Furina!" he cooed. Yes, she had no reason to be afraid now.

"What are you doing here? I mean, what are you doing here so late?" Furina asked, her summons walking in circles around Aether.

"Oh, I'm helping Neuvillette," he explained. "Some of the guards got sick due to some stuff I didn't really pay attention to, so now I'm acting as a front-line guard!" he said proudly. "The Melusines are helping too!"

"Oh, I see..." Furina said. "And where is Paimon—"

"Pamoinial wrath!" Paimon interrupted, bonking Aether’s head with a small sword. "This is for not waiting for Paimon!"

Aether yelped in pain. "Hey! I just freaked out when I saw Furina almost being attacked!" he defended himself.

"But you forgot your sword, you idiot!" Paimon retorted, her words sharp.

"But the enemy is down anyway," Aether said, raising the hilichurl’s mask. Paimon looked at Furina.

"Oh, yeah. Paimon forgot you can do that scary stuff. Poor Furina." She sighed. "What are you doing out so late anyway?"

"Ah, just buying some stuff," Furina snapped back to reality. "I was about to ask where you were, Paimon. It's hard to see the two of you apart."

Paimon puffed up proudly. "Of course! Anywhere he goes, Paimon is sure to follow!" she said, eliciting a laugh from the Traveler.

"She is like a loyal subject," Aether teased, prompting another bonk from Paimon.

Wait a second... Loyal subject, Paimon, red eyes, dark skin...

Furina's mind raced as she connected the dots.

"O-Okay then, I have to go now. I'll see you around!" Furina quickly walked off, leaving both Paimon and Aether very confused.

Her summons disappeared as she quickened her pace. She got it now; everything was making sense!

"Navia! Clorinde! We need to have a meeting with the rest of the crew, now!" Furina announced in a loud and urgent voice.

"You better have called me here for a good reason, 'cause I was having a really good sleep," Lynette complained, yawning.

"Oh, it IS a good reason!" Furina laughed. "I have found out the Traveler’s surname!"

Everyone but Navia and Lyney facepalmed.

"I'm going back home," Lynette said, resting her head on Freminet’s shoulder, who was also very tired.

"H-How did you do it? No! What is his surname?!" Navia asked, with Lyney also very interested.

"Don't worry, I will explain. It started like this!" Furina proceeded to explain everything that happened when she went to buy the macaron ingredients.

"Okay? What does that have to do with anything?" Clorinde asked.

"Lyney, rewind what Aether said about Paimon for me, pretty please," Furina requested.

"He said: ‘She is like a loyal subject,’ right?" Lyney repeated.

"Indeed, and did you know?" Furina tried to sound mysterious. "In demonology, Paimon is a spirit named in early grimoires."

Clorinde's eyebrows quickly knitted into a frown, while Navia gasped.

“Paimon was once an angel of the Lord and belonged to the order of Powers, whose ancient name was Umbriel. However, she was persuaded by Lucifer to side with him in the rebellion against Heaven. With the defeat of Lucifer and his rebellious angels, Umbriel was cast into Hell along with the other rebellious angels by the archangel Michael. She lost her angelic aura and became a demon named Paimon.” Lyney and Navia looked like they were watching a movie at this point, while the others were simply baffled by the absurdity of what they were hearing.

"Goetia and Weyer note that King Paimon is quite obedient to Lucifer," Furina announced. "And do you know what Lucifer’s surname is?"

"What is it?!" Navia and Lyney asked in unison.

"Morningstar!" Furina concluded, bowing as if she were Einstein unveiling a groundbreaking theory.

Clorinde's tea was left forgotten as she stood up along with the other rational ones and headed towards the door. "This has gone too far. We are ending this nonsense right now," she said, clearly displeased, marching through the door as the others followed her.

After some time, they found the Traveler and Paimon enjoying a cake with a Melusine. Clorinde interrupted their lovely time by grabbing both of Aether’s shoulders. Paimon yelped, startled.

"Traveler, what is your surname?" Clorinde demanded as the Traveler tried to understand the situation. Navia tried to get Clorinde to act a bit gentler.

"Wha—" Aether tried to say something.

"Surname. Now," Lynette added.

"Why do you guys—" He tried once more.

"We were curious about it. Just say it so we can shush these idiots behind us," Clorinde insisted. Aether was still confused, but he smiled anyway.

"It's Aether Morningstar."